COVID-19 is hitting Guatemala at every level, from the Government and cabinet to the rural population. On 20 September 2020, President Alejandro Giammattei announced he tested positive with COVID-19. The Government continues to work, according to the President, and it appears he is now recovering. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: a COVID-19 update President Giammattei announced his diagnosis to […]
After the challenges we’ve all been forced to face from the pandemic, what could be better than finally planning that trip away? Guatemala is now open to visitors again, and while I’m not necessarily suggesting going this year, let’s have a look at where you could go in 2021. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: wellness retreats There […]
Climate change is now affecting all of us around the world in one way or another. From the vast Australian bushfires at the start of the year to the Californian bushfires happening now, it’s no longer possible to look away. Guatemala is home to huge swathes of vital rainforest and precious resources. The need to protect this as much as […]
Guatemala is consistently ranked as one of the most vulnerable countries in the world when it comes to the affect of climate change. The Global Climate Risk Index consistently puts the nation in the top 10 of countries at an extremely high risk of exposure to extreme events. Increased rainfall during the wet season combined with extremely severe, lengthy […]
Guatemala in 2020 is a fascinating mix of influences, representative of its complex history. The largest economy in Central America, the country’s biggest economic driver is tourism. In the first of a series of special features, this blog covers the culture and etiquette of Guatemalan society. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: all about Guatemala culture and etiquette Nestled between […]
Guatemala has a long and fascinating history featuring many years of takeover and colonisation, civil war and regional differences. And of course, along with this kind of history comes a relatively complex religious picture. In this special feature, I’ll be looking at the religious composition of the country, and how this affects its culture. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: […]
Guatemalan coffee is one of the country’s major exports, making the region the ninth biggest exporter in the world. Here’s why coffee remains so important to the country, and how the industry developed. Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala special feature: Guatemalan coffee and its history Annual exports worth up to $775 million make Guatemalan coffee the second biggest export from the […]
Guatemala in 2020 is a product of its rich, sometimes extremely difficult and always fascinating cultural heritage. And it’s the same for Guatemalan music. If you’re travelling around Guatemala right now, you’ll hear all kinds of music. American music from the 1980s and 1990s is popular on public transport, while Tejano and ranchera music is common in bars and restaurants. […]
This month’s Jürg Widmer Probst Guatemala blog moves away from the beauty and fascination of this country with a focus on COVID-19. Global pharmaceutical company AstraZeneca is actively helping the health system in Guatemala, according to the UK Government. British Ambassador Nick Whittingham says that the company is donating quick COVID-19 tests and personal protective equipment (PPE) supplies to the […]
Today, coffee is one of Guatemala’s biggest exports. Exports of up to $723 million make it one of the cornerstones of the country’s agricultural export business. But if you’re visiting our country, what do you need to know about this wonderful product? Where are the best growing areas, and how is coffee made? And finally, where is the best place […]
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